340 



THE OLD-IVORLD ELK 



of the moose, for the ultimate development when 

 the animal is in his prime is inferior. In his fourth 

 year, writes Martenson, the elk is still a crotch- 

 horn. In the fifth year the number of points 

 varies from four to six, and there is a slight ten- 

 dency to palmation. In the sixth year the normal 

 formula of antlers is 3+3, with a little broader 



An Eight- Year-Old from Livonia 



palmation. In the seventh year the number of 

 points is generally from six to eight; in the eighth 

 from eight to ten; and in the ninth from ten to 

 twelve, of which from four to six will be in the 

 brow groups. In the tenth year the antlers usually 

 have from twelve to fourteen points. After the 

 elk's ninth or tenth year variations from the normal 

 in antler development become more marked, but 

 until the sixteenth year there is increase in the 

 strength and weight of the antlers, together with 

 increase in palmation, while the prongs become 



